FOXBOROUGH, Mass. -- With uncertainty over cornerback Malcolm Butler's status the primary issue still lingering, the New England Patriots' roster appears to be well-stocked enough to play a game tomorrow if one were scheduled. This is the ideal setup for the team entering the draft, providing some flexibility to go in a number of different directions.

With the short and long term in mind, what would be considered the Patriots' greatest needs?

Here is one viewpoint:

The Patriots appear to need more depth at defensive end to support the likes of Trey Flowers. Bob DeChiara/USA TODAY Sports

1. Defensive end:Trey Flowers (team-high seven sacks in 2016) has two years remaining on his contract, while Kony Ealy and Rob Ninkovich enter the last year of their deals. Third-year player Geneo Grissom, who has primarily served on special teams, is fourth on the depth chart. This spot likely needs at least another player or two.

3. Cornerback:Stephon Gilmore is being paid No. 1-caliber money, and a tandem with Butler could be excellent, even if just for a year. But if Butler isn’t back (a situation that would complicate the cornerback rankings), the spot opposite Gilmore would be open. Eric Rowe, Cyrus Jones, Jonathan Jones and Justin Coleman are next on the depth chart.

4. Offensive tackle: Starting left tackle Nate Solder enters the last year of his contract, and top swing tackle Cameron Fleming is scheduled for unrestricted free agency in 2018 as well. A Solder extension would be ideal.